Starting a Cannabis Company: Things to Know

Starting a Cannabis Company: Things to Know

The cannabis industry is complex and competitive, but it is also extremely appealing to young entrepreneurs and investors alike as it continues to shift away from negative stigmas and into a more defined regulatory pathway. The rapid growth of the industry attracts cultivators, extractors, retailers, and more, and like many people entering this complicated space, you may feel overwhelmed with where to begin. Whether you’re considering opening a dispensary business, a CBD business, an ancillary cannabis business, or simply obtaining a hemp license, we’ve put together a guide to starting up a cannabis company to further your understanding of the necessary moving parts and details.

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Ritter SpencerStarting a Cannabis Company: Things to Know
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TDA Hemp Production Plan Part III: Violations, Hemp Transportation, and Hemp Seed Requirements

TDA Hemp Production Plan Part III: Violations, Hemp Transportation, and Hemp Seed Requirements

By: Paul Stevenson

After learning the application and hemp license holder requirements in Part I of this Series and the rules and procedures regarding the sampling and testing of hemp in Part II, it is now time to turn to the TDA plan’s provisions covering violations, license suspension and revocation, hemp transportation, and hemp seed requirements. 

As a hemp license holder, if you violate the TDA plan, it is imperative to comply with any enforcement action or corrective action plan imposed by TDA in order to avoid any further negative consequences for you and/or your hemp operations. 

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Ritter SpencerTDA Hemp Production Plan Part III: Violations, Hemp Transportation, and Hemp Seed Requirements
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TDA Hemp Production Plan Part II: Sampling & Testing of Hemp

TDA Hemp Production Plan Part II: Sampling & Testing of Hemp

By: Paul Stevenson

Now that you have read Part I of the TDA Hemp Production Plan series on the application and license requirements for hemp producers, it is crucial to understand the rules and methods for the sampling and testing of hemp for tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”) concentration levels. Thankfully, TDA’s sampling and testing provisions are the same or extremely similar to USDA’s sampling and testing provisions. 

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Ritter SpencerTDA Hemp Production Plan Part II: Sampling & Testing of Hemp
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TDA Hemp Production Plan Part I: License Requirements

TDA Hemp Production Plan Part I: License Requirements

By: Paul Stevenson

As mandated by the 2018 Farm Bill, the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) has produced an interim final rule to establish the domestic hemp production program (“USDA plan”). To conform with the USDA plan, the Texas Department of Agriculture (“TDA”) has proposed its own hemp production rules and regulations (“TDA plan”) to the Texas Register. These proposed rules were published on Friday, December 13, 2019, and will be open to public comment for thirty (30) days. If dissatisfied with any provision of the TDA plan, it is highly recommended to send your concerns to TDA during this 30-day window for public comment. 

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Ritter SpencerTDA Hemp Production Plan Part I: License Requirements
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4 Things to Know About Growing Hemp

4 Things to Know About Growing Hemp

Under the Final Interim USDA Hemp Production plan, several rules, requirements, and regulations pave the way for those looking to start a legal hemp farm after approval of their relevant State’s hemp-growth plan. Below, we’ve compiled four fundamentals to growing hemp, including hemp licensing, growing conditions, testing, and record-keeping, to help ensure compliance and facilitate a legal operation.  

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Ritter Spencer4 Things to Know About Growing Hemp
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USDA Hemp Production Plan Part III: Compliance, Violations, and Recordkeeping

USDA Hemp Production Plan Part III: Compliance, Violations, and Recordkeeping

By: Paul Stevenson

After learning the licensing requirements in Part I of this Series and the complex rules and regulations on the sampling and testing of hemp in Part II, it is now time to turn our attention to the USDA plan’s matters of compliance, violations, license suspension and revocation, and mandatory recordkeeping.

As a hemp producer, if you violate the USDA plan, it is important not to panic. Instead, focus on remedying this situation by complying with the corrective action plan or other enforcement actions imposed by USDA. 

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Ritter SpencerUSDA Hemp Production Plan Part III: Compliance, Violations, and Recordkeeping
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USDA Hemp Production Plan Part II: Sampling & Testing of Hemp

USDA Hemp Production Plan Part II: Sampling & Testing of Hemp

By: Paul Stevenson

Now that you have read Part I of the USDA Hemp Production Plan series on the license requirements for hemp producers, it is critical to understand USDA’s methods and regulations for the sampling and testing of hemp for tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”) concentration levels. Keep in mind: “tetrahydrocannabinol” and “delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol” are interchangeable phrases for THC.

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Ritter SpencerUSDA Hemp Production Plan Part II: Sampling & Testing of Hemp
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USDA Hemp Production Plan

USDA Hemp Production Plan

By: Paul Stevenson

Last December, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, commonly known as the 2018 Farm Bill, was passed, which removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act’s (“CSA”) definition of “marihuana.” The Farm Bill allows for the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) to oversee and facilitate the commercial cultivation, processing, and marketing of hemp. As mandated by the Farm Bill, USDA has developed an interim final rule to establish the domestic hemp production program.

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Ritter SpencerUSDA Hemp Production Plan
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HB 1325: Hemp Growth in Texas; Part I: Timing

HB 1325: Hemp Growth in Texas; Part I: Timing

Yesterday, the Texas House of Representatives took a historic voice vote on HB1325 (the “Bill”).  HB1325 is an act which, if passed, will permit growth of hemp as an agricultural commodity in Texas and will allow sale of hemp products in Texas. At the voice vote, Representative King offered a floor amendment making minor changes to the Bill’s text, which was passed. Today, the House entered its formal vote for passage of HB1325.

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Ritter SpencerHB 1325: Hemp Growth in Texas; Part I: Timing
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Is CBD Legal? Part III: Texas Law

Is CBD Legal? Part III: Texas Law

If you live in Texas, you have probably noticed some of the recent news segments and articles regarding the question of whether CBD is legal in Texas. Currently, there are several Texas counties that are actively raiding stores selling CBD goods and seizing those goods. Others are charging and prosecuting end-users of CBD products. On every news article or social media posting referencing these enforcement activities, you will quickly identify several people boldly instructing everyone that “hemp is legal in all fifty states,” that “Texas is wrong because the Farm Bill legalized hemp everywhere,” or worse, urging others to sue the state of Texas for enforcing its criminal laws. We’re here to clear the air and to answer the pressing question of whether CBD is legal in Texas. Forewarning, this is not going to be a short article; however, if you can stick it out until the end, you will have a great understanding of the law here in Texas and how that law interacts with federal laws on hemp.

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Ritter SpencerIs CBD Legal? Part III: Texas Law
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